1440 Data Processing System

1440 Data Processing System

The 1440 was a low-cost system specifically designed to solve the increasing data handling problems of smaller volume businesses. The 1440 met the need for a complete accounting system and offered the benefits of a business information system as well.

A program stored in the system controlled the flow of data through the various components and directed processing to the desired end result.

With a variety of models and special features available for the 1440, a system could be tailored to meet immediate data processing requirements and expanded to absorb increased demands.

IBM 1442 Card Read-Punch provided card input and output for the system. Model 1 read up to 300 cards a minute and punched up to 80 columns a second; Model 2 read up to 400 cards a minute and punched up to 160 columns a second.

IBM 1443 Printer provided alphanumeric printed output at a basic rate of 150 lines a minute and could print up to 430 lines a minute, depending upon the typebar used. Easy to handle, interchangeable typebars allowed character sets of 13, 39, 52, and 63 characters.

IBM 1311 Disk Storage Drive provided access to removable and interchangeable disk packs which provided storage capacity for 2 million characters in each pack; this could be expanded to nearly 3 million characters. As many as five 13l1s could be attached to a 1440 system.

IBM 1447 Console, Model 1 provided basic processing control for the system; Model 2 console contained an electric typewriter for printed input/output and provided direct printed communication between the system and the operator.